The specimen was dated around the 9th century and offers insight into the dietary practices of Vikings during this period[1].

Analysis of the stool has indicated that its producer subsisted largely on meat and bread, despite evidence suggesting that other people at the same place and time had access to fruits, leeks, shellfish, and nuts.

[4] The presence of several hundred parasitic eggs suggests the person was riddled with intestinal worms (specifically maw-worms and whipworms[5]).

In 1991, Andrew Jones, a York Archaeological Trust employee and palaeoscatologist, made international news with his appraisal of the item for insurance purposes: "This is the most exciting piece of excrement I've ever seen ...

[3] In 2003, the coprolite broke into three pieces after being dropped while being exhibited to a party of visitors, and efforts were undertaken to reconstruct it.